The Capitals backup goalie is from the North Pole (sort of)

If you look closely at Pheonix Copley’s mask — when the Washington Capitals backup goalie is filling in for starter Braden Holtby — you’ll notice he has two crossed candy canes protecting his chin. And it’s not just something he wears for Christmas.

(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old goaltender always has the candy canes on his mask no matter which team he’s on, and according to The Washington Post, it’s his small tribute to his hometown because he grew up at the North Pole. Well, sort of.

Copley is from a town in Alaska called North Pole, just outside of Fairbanks. So it’s obviously not the actual North Pole — it’s a bit farther south — but it does have a major tourist attraction called Santa Claus House that is open all year-round.

And that’s why he’ll always have candy canes on his mask, but he also suggested, “Maybe one day I’ll just do a full Christmas mask. Who knows?” More from The Washington Post:

Because travel to Alaska from the East Coast would take up a whole day, Copley hasn’t been able to get back to North Pole for Christmas in years, but the town is still in the yuletide spirit when he’s home in the summer, the rare place where it’s Christmas in July, too.

“There’s definitely tourist stuff set up year-round for sure,” Copley said. “Our light poles are candy canes, so they definitely try and make it a theme. I think also people are lazy and just don’t want to take down Christmas lights.”

He celebrates his North Pole roots so much that he even dressed up as Will Ferrell’s Elf character for the Caps’ Halloween party this year. And even though he’s not often in the Christmas-themed town for the holidays, he still loves to enjoy Christmas.

“I’ve always really liked Christmas,” Copley said. “I always got really excited to get the Christmas music going and everything, but I don’t know if that’s just my personality or if it has anything to do with North Pole. My whole family enjoys Christmas, but it’s also a time that with hockey and everything, you get a break and get to spend time with family.”

In Copley’s first season with the Capitals — he replaced Philipp Grubauer, who’s now with the Colorado Avalanche — he’s currently at 8-2-1 with a 91.2 save percentage.

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